Hill's Science Diet Dog Food Review: Is It the Best Choice for Your Dog?

Hill's Science Diet is a well-known brand in the pet food industry, offering a wide range of products formulated to meet the specific dietary needs of dogs at different life stages and with various health conditions. This article provides a comprehensive review of Hill's Science Diet dog food, examining its ingredients, nutritional value, benefits, drawbacks, recall history, and more.

Overview of Hill's Science Diet

Hill's Science Diet boasts a vast selection of both wet and dry food recipes, with over 90 options available. These recipes are designed to be complete and balanced, adhering to the nutrient profile guidelines established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for all life stages, maintenance (adults), or growth (puppies). The protein levels in Hill's Science Diet main line are generally average, with most recipes containing between 22% and 28% protein as dry matter.

Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food Ranges and Flavors

Hill’s Science Diet has a huge dog food range with over 90 wet and dry food recipes available. All of Hill’s Science Diet recipes are complete and balanced, meeting the nutrient profile guidelines established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for all life stages, maintenance (adults), or growth (puppies). Check the guaranteed analysis printed on each dog food's label for more info. Protein levels in Hill’s Science Diet main line are average, with most wet and dry food recipes containing between 22% and 28% protein as dry matter.

Dry Dog Food

Hill's Science Diet's standard dry dog food line is its largest, featuring approximately 34 recipes.

Puppy Formulas: These recipes are enriched with DHA fatty acids from fish oil, crucial for brain development, and prebiotics to support digestive health. Chicken recipes typically list a quality cut of meat as the top ingredient, while lamb varieties list lamb meal. However, some ingredients like brewer's rice and soybean meal have lower nutritional value.
Adult (1-6) Formulas: These formulas have lower fat and protein content than the puppy food to help prevent weight gain. Available in chicken and lamb, the chicken recipes prioritize a quality cut of meat, while lamb recipes list a meat meal as the primary ingredient. Some recipes include lower-quality ingredients like whole grain corn.
Senior (6+) Formulas: Designed for senior dogs, these recipes come in 6+, 7+, and 11+ variations, containing carefully balanced minerals for heart and kidney health and omega-3 fatty acids for mobility. Chicken and lamb are the only available flavors, and some recipes include lower-quality ingredients like beet pulp and brewer's rice.

As an example, Hill's Science Diet Chicken & Brown Rice Adult dog food contains near-average protein (23.4% as dry matter) and near-average fat (16.4% as dry matter) compared to standard kibble.

Wet Dog Food

Hill's Science Diet offers around 25 wet food options, available in cans or plastic trays.

Puppy Formulas: These recipes are enriched with antioxidants to support immune health and DHA for brain development. Water is the primary ingredient, followed by a quality cut of meat. However, they also contain lower-quality ingredients like soybean meal and whole grain corn. Chicken and beef are the only flavors available.
Adult (1-6) Formulas: These formulas are designed for easy digestion, with balanced levels of sodium and phosphorus for kidney and heart health. Omega-6 and vitamin E are added to promote skin and coat health. Water is the top ingredient, followed by a quality cut of meat, but lower-quality ingredients like soybean oil and dried beet pulp are also included. Available flavors include chicken, turkey, and beef.
Senior (7+) Formulas: Specially designed for senior dogs, these recipes contain balanced minerals for kidney and heart health and antioxidants to support the immune system. Some recipes, like Turkey & Barley Entrée, may have lower protein levels (around 20% as dry matter) and may not be the best choice for senior dogs needing additional muscle support. Ingredients of modest nutritional value include whole grain corn and dried beet pulp. Flavors include turkey, beef, or chicken.

Hill’s Science Diet Savory Chicken Stew & Vegetables Adult wet dog food contains slightly above-average protein (28.1% as dry matter) and slightly above-average fat (19% as dry matter) compared to similar wet dog food.

Healthy Cuisine

The Hill’s Science Diet Healthy Cuisine is a premium sub-range with four wet stew recipes made with higher quality ingredients than many of its main line dog foods. Each recipe lists water as the top ingredient. The Healthy Cuisine Roasted Chicken, Carrots & Spinach Stew lists chicken broth, chicken, pork liver, carrots, and rice as the top five ingredients. Ingredients with low nutritional value include whole grain barley and dried beet pulp. Hill’s Science Diet Healthy Cuisine is available in chicken and beef flavors with recipes of adults and adults 7+. Healthy Cuisine Roasted Chicken, Carrots & Spinach Stew contains slightly above-average protein (26.6% as dry matter and near-average fat (16.6%as dry matter) compared to standard wet dog food.

Specialty Dog Foods

One of Hill’s Science Diet's best features is its specialty food sub-range with 28 recipes for specific health needs from weight management to oral care. You'll find around 22 dry food and 6 wet food recipes in this sub-range. Grain-free options are available for canines with sensitive stomachs.

Senior Vitality: This line differs from the main line senior food by containing a proprietary ingredient blend to support the aging pup's brain and boost their energy levels. The wet foods list broth followed by a quality cut of meat as the top ingredients, while dry food recipes list a quality cut of chicken as the top ingredient. Some ingredients of modest nutritional value are also included, such as whole grain corn and soybean oil. Chicken is the only flavor available.

Read also: Dog Digestive Care with Hill's i/d
Healthy Mobility: Specifically for large and small dog breeds with joint issues, these recipes are rich in EPA from fish oil for mobility and natural glucosamine and chondroitin for cartilage support. Both recipes list chicken meal as the top ingredient, with no quality meat cuts present, and contain several ingredients with modest nutritional value, such as brewer's rice, dried beet pulp, and whole grain wheat.
Oral Care: This sub-range consists of two chicken recipes for adult dogs and pint-sized pups, clinically proven to reduce plaque and tartar build-up. The dry food recipes uniquely list a quality cut of chicken as the top ingredient, with chicken meal listed outside the top eight ingredients. Some ingredients with modest nutritional value, like corn gluten meal and soybean mill run, are also included.
Perfect Digestion: Consisting of four dry foods and one wet food for adult and senior pups, this line contains a blend of prebiotics called ActivBiome+ to aid digestion with added fiber sources like pumpkin. All dry food recipes list a quality cut of meat as the top ingredient, while the wet food recipe lists chicken broth above chicken. Lower-quality ingredients like dried beet pulp and soybean oil are included in the dry food recipes.
Perfect Weight: This sub-range includes six dry foods and two wet foods formulated to help dogs lose noticeable weight within ten weeks. Two of the dry food recipes also contain EPA from fish oil for joint support. All recipes list a quality cut of chicken as the primary protein source, and some ingredients with mediocre nutritional value, such as dried tomato pomace, brewer's rice, and whole grain corn, are included.
Sensitive Stomach & Skin: This line comprises six dry and three wet foods designed to be high in fiber and easily digestible. All recipes use chicken, turkey, or fish as primary protein sources, which may not be ideal for dogs with poultry allergies. This sub-range features one of Hill’s Science Diet's only grain-free recipes but still includes lower-quality ingredients like pea protein, carrageenan, and brewer's rice.

Read also: Sustainable Weight Loss Guide

Pros of Hill's Science Diet

Wide Variety of Recipes for Specific Needs: Hill’s Science Diet offers numerous recipes formulated for various life stages and health needs, including oral care, digestive health, and joint care. Recipes for different age groups and sizes ensure a tailored diet for each dog.
More Affordable Than High-End Dog Food: While the ingredients may not be the highest quality, Hill’s Science Diet is more affordable than some premium dog foods.
Generous Returns Policy: Hill’s Science Diet offers a 100% money-back guarantee, allowing customers to return any unused food with proof of purchase for a full refund or replacement.

Cons of Hill's Science Diet

Limited Protein Varieties: Despite a wide range of recipes, Hill’s Science Diet uses a limited range of animal proteins, such as chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, or fish, making many recipes unsuitable for dogs with specific meat protein allergies. Only the Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Pollock Meal & Insect Dry Dog Food recipe contains a novel animal protein source.
Controversial and Filler Ingredients: Many recipes contain potentially controversial or low-nutritional-value ingredients, such as whole grain corn and dried beet pulp. The protein levels in some foods are boosted by soybean meal, which is high in protein but not as nutritionally valuable as animal protein. Some recipes also contain carrageenan, a gelling agent and thickener with little to no nutritional value.
High Carbohydrate Content: Hill’s Pet Nutrition has excessively high carbohydrate levels in all its dog foods. This applies to both its dry and canned lines. Carbs are a low cost ingredient and take the place of better ingredients. Dogs do not need carbs in their diet. A high-carb diet can harm gut bacteria. Carbohydrates can cause health issues like obesity. Most of Hill’s recipes use a technique called ingredient splitting. It manipulates the list to move certain ingredients up or down. This makes it appear that proteins are higher on the list. There are high levels of carbs in all recipes. They are from starchy ingredients like soybean, oats, pea fiber, wheat, and sorghum. Additionally, Hill’s dog foods lack whole foods like fruits and vegetables. The main ingredients are grains with some proteins and meat meals. Sugar, plant proteins, cellulose and other fibers follow. A substantial list of synthetic vitamins, minerals and amino acids completes the list. They’re needed to balance these foods to nutritional standards. Fruits and vegetables would provide key nutrients and antioxidants. They would also eliminate added synthetics. These are more bioavailable and easier for dogs to digest. Additionally, Hill’s dog foods lack whole foods like fruits and vegetables.

Recall History

Hill’s Science Diet has had three official recalls in the last ten years, including two significant recalls in 2019.

June 2, 2014: Hill’s recalled 62 bags of Science Diet Adult Small & Toy Breed in Hawaii, California, and Nevada due to potential Salmonella contamination.
January 31, 2019: Hill’s voluntarily recalled select batches of its canned dog food due to potentially elevated vitamin D levels, which can cause serious health problems, including renal failure.
March 20, 2019: Hill’s expanded its January recall as the vitamin premix that caused the initial recall was detected in additional products.
May 20, 2019: Hill’s announced it had accidentally omitted a single lot number from its original recall list.

What Pet Parents Say

Some pet parents report positive experiences with Hill's Science Diet, noting that their dogs enjoy the food and it addresses specific health concerns. However, others have reported issues with palatability and potential adverse reactions.

Hill's Science Diet Dog Food History

In 1939, Dr. Mark Morris Sr. developed Hill’s dog food to help Buddy, a seeing eye dog with kidney failure. In 1948, the Hill Packing Company began canning the food, eventually leading to the formation of Hill’s Pet Nutrition. In 1968, Hill’s launched its Science Diet range, and in 1976, Colgate-Palmolive Co. purchased Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Today, Hill’s products are available in 86 countries.

Manufacturing

Hill’s makes its foods in their own facilities in Topeka, Kansas; Emporia, Kansas; Bowling Green, Kentucky; and Richmond, Indiana. It also has worldwide manufacturing and distribution centers in Czechia and the Netherlands.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition: Is It a Good Choice?

Hill’s Pet Nutrition offers 11 lines of dog food. This includes 7 lines of dry dog food with 73 recipes and 4 lines of canned dog food with 61 recipes. The dry dog foods have low ingredient quality and safety ratings, making them very high risk. The canned dog foods have slightly better scores but are still considered high risk. It covers many life stages and health conditions.

Concerns about Veterinary Diets

Hill’s Prescription Diet is available by veterinary prescription and targets specific health conditions as defined by Hill’s. While these diets can be beneficial, there are concerns about long-term use due to potential nutritional deficiencies. The FDA practices “enforcement discretion.” It has not reviewed or verified the health claims on veterinary diets. There’s a different approach to non-prescription pet store dog food. They might have a health claim such as weight management or joint support. That means they are subject to FDA regulations and enforcement. Not all veterinary brands meet AAFCO standards. There’s concern about long-term use. It’s due to potential lack of enough nutrition. This is despite the intention to manage disease.

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